The founding phase of the German Research Centre for Sustainable Building (DFZ-Bau) has achieved significant progress: last Friday, research activities commenced within the framework of the first projects. This launch, which took place in the presence of the founding partners at the Bundesrat, is considered a crucial milestone on the path to the centre's institutional establishment, planned for 2026.
DFZ-Bau, conceived as a joint undertaking by the Federal Government, the federal states of Saxony, Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg, and stakeholders from academia and industry, is intended to play a central role in coordinating and consolidating building research activities in Germany. A primary objective is to strengthen the transfer of innovation into the construction industry, to accelerate the practical application of research findings. The centre is planned as an integral part of the transformation of the construction sector, in order to respond adequately to challenges such as climate change and high global resource consumption.
New research approach and initial projects
At the heart of DFZ-Bau's modus operandi is a research approach that is practice-integrated, experimental, and closely oriented towards real construction processes. New methods, materials, technologies and processes are to be tested under real conditions, systematically evaluated, and further developed in collaboration with practitioners. The first projects at the research sites in Dresden, Stuttgart/Karlsruhe, and Weimar are already implementing this approach. Federal Minister Hubertz presented the funding certificates, officially marking the start of the research centre's substantive work.
The early start of research, which runs parallel to the establishment of the formal association structures, underscores the new centre's ambition to quickly generate substantial added value. This shared objective was reaffirmed by the representatives of the project partners: Minister-President Özdemir (Baden-Württemberg), Minister-President Voigt (Thuringia), and Head of the State Chancellery Dr. Handschuh (Saxony) emphasised the initiative's importance, as did Professors Menges (University of Stuttgart), Mechtcherine (TU Dresden), and Benz (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar). Minister Hubertz highlighted the need for faster, more cost-effective, and climate-friendly construction, and stated that DFZ-Bau stands for bringing research findings directly into practice.
Mr. Özdemir underscored the contribution of Baden-Württemberg's strong construction sector, with its excellent research landscape and high-performing industry, to the decentralised research network. Mr. Voigt emphasised the aim of translating knowledge from years of building research in Weimar into concrete solutions more quickly. Dr. Handschuh described DFZ-Bau as a milestone for Saxony and an important contribution to structural change, which will bring cutting-edge research to Lusatia and create high-quality jobs in Bautzen.
Initial projects and scientific support
To begin with, the Federal Government and the participating founding states are funding three initial projects. These serve to prepare the future research clusters of DFZ-Bau and are scientifically overseen by the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR).
- —At the University of Stuttgart and in Karlsruhe, two experimental platforms are being established in existing buildings. In these real-world laboratories, scientists, companies, and public partners are testing new renovation concepts using construction robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, sustainable materials, and renewable energy systems.
- —The Technical University of Dresden is involved in another of the initial projects, which further concretises DFZ-Bau's research activities.
